Umag (Croatia), July 23: Top-seeded Carlos Moya of Spain moved a step closer to defending his title at the US $ 452,000 Croatia Open, ousting Jiri Vanek of the Czech Republic 7-6 (7/1) 6-4 in the first round.
Vanek - like many others at the tournament yesterday - sought medical help during the match.
Second-seeded Fernando Gonzalez of Chile also moved into the second round after downing Croat qualifier Lovro Zovko 6-4 6-4.
Gonzalez, the world no. 14 who was forced to retire in the semifinals in Stuttgart on Saturday, showed no problems.
All other seeded players also advanced, some benefiting from the opponents injury.

Rafael Nadal of Spain, a 17-year-old tennis sensation and ranked 58, was leading Adrian Voinea 6-3 1-0 when the Romanian retired because of an apparent shoulder injury.

David Ferrer, a finalist last year and seeded eighth, easily beat Hicham Arazi of Morocco 6-0 3-1. Organisers said Arazi retired because he felt sick.

Sasa Tuksar of Croatia, a lucky loser who replaced third-seeded Felix Mantilla, struggled against Albert Montanes of Spain but took the first set at 7-5.

Montanes, who sought medical treatment for twisted ankle at the end of the first set, retired after two opening points in the second set.

Seventh-seeded Filippe Volandri of Italy gave little chance to Attila Savolt of Hungary, beating him 6-3 6-0.

Magnus Norman of Sweden, who returned to Umag for the first time after winning the tournament four years ago, topped Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo of Spain 4-6 6-3 7-5.

Bureau Report.